It’s been one year since we locked down and the focus seems to be back on the pandemic as there is talk of a second surge and mutations. It is also a time when the government has announced vaccinations for all those above the age of 45 years. This is a welcome decision as it was painful to read stories about vaccine wastage amidst what is an obvious shortage of vaccine supply. And it does seem as if the vaccine hesitancy is on the wane as everyone is keen to resume life as it was—in other words, physical life and not just digital living.
But there is a word of caution because the vaccine is not some “Ram baan” (arrow of Lord Rama) that will protect you against the virus completely. Moreover, you can still be a carrier so it is important not to let your guard down and keep your mask on. That does not seem to be happening as socialising has resumed post vaccination. I have doctors on The Roundtable (NewsX) complaining how they had to treat as many as 40 patients from a recent marriage party in one go. The marriage season is on in full gusto and doctors await Holi with the same bated breath they did Diwali last year, for don’t forget how the numbers soared post Diwali. The government is right in banning large gatherings on Holi but one wonders how this will translate on ground. In fact, doctors are right when they blame the middle and upper class for the spike because it is this lot that seems to have totally abandoned all caution and has resumed socialising with a gusto.
Also, some of the rules in place by our government don’t make sense. Take the rule about the insistence on masks while travelling in a private car. As Nikhat Bhatty, a Goa-based filmmaker, pointed out, “They fine you for not wearing a mask while travelling in a car with someone you are sharing your home with but allow you to drop your masks at a public restaurant amidst strangers.” She has a point, though it will be very difficult to dig into that fish and chips with your mask on. Guess that is what is meant by balancing lives and livelihoods for it is high time that restaurants resume functioning again. But then can we do away with the rules about wearing masks in private transport vehicles. All it does is give the police another excuse to fine travellers instead of going after ‘those’ that they ought to be chasing. Such as the large crowd at election rallies (not to mention the equally large crowd on the dais) that is cheerfully violating all social distancing norms in full media glare and not being fined for it either. Don’t our politicians ever stop to think the contradictions in some of the diktats they issue for the public but violate when it comes to themselves?
The answer to that is all too apparent.